Mallow flower: A complete overview
Growing Mallow Flower is easy, but to get the most from it takes a little knowledge and some patience. Mallow flowers are excellent cut flowers and the best thing of all is that they are free to grow. Here are some tips to help anyone who wishes to try growing this favorite flower.
Malva sylvestris is a species of mallow in the family Malvaceae. It is known as common mallow to English-speaking Europeans but acquired the common names of cheeses, high mallow, and tall mallow (mauve des Bois by the French) as it migrated from its native home in Western Europe, North Africa, and Asia through the English-speaking world.
The plant is widely distributed and can be found in most of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. In the UK it is considered a native species but not widely distributed, being confined mainly to the northeast where it occurs on unimproved chalk soils in dry grassland.
Common names of mallow flower
Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy), another species of creeping plant, is more commonly referred to as Creeping Charlie.
Taxonomy of mallow flower
At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists had divided up the plant kingdom into four families: Malvaceae (which includes mangoes, banana trees, and cashews), Bombacaceae (including breadfruit and pineapples), Tiliaceae (including ginger) and Sterculiaceae (which includes buffalo beans).
Later studies showed that these groups were not as closely related as they seemed—DNA evidence revealed that many of the genera in those families form evolutionary lineages, leading the 2009 Angiosperm Phylogeny Group to include them all under a single family name.
Major genera of Mallow flower
Hibiscus, Pavonia, and Sida are native to tropical regions. An epicalyx is common among these genera; the stamens are fused into a tube. They are temperate to tropical plants with spiny pollen. The ovary wall of the trees from genera such as Bombax and Ceiba yield balsa wood. Several genera—including Adansonia—are cultivated for their flowers and distinctive appearance; they’re typically stout trees with thin bark. Their leaves are palmately compound.
The fibers from the walls of the ovary of genera like Bombax (20 species) and Ceiba (11 species) produce kapok. The source of balsa wood is Ochroma, an African genus of trees. Several genera, including Adansonia and its Old-World baobabs, are cultivated for their flowers and the distinctive appearance of their trees. Members of those genera typically have stout trunks with thin green bark that often consists of many knobs; there may be spines on their trunks or branches as well. Their leaves are palmately compound and have sharp points at the base.
See Also: Lobelia erinus plant, grow and care
Species of Mallow flower
There are about 290 species of Grewia, with the largest number in the Neotropical region; Microcos is also primarily Neotropical, but there are some species in Asia and Oceania. Corchorus contains nearly 60 species, while Triumfetta has about 150 species. Two Corchorus species are used as a source of jute fiber.
The African hemp (Sparmannia africana) is native to Africa and Madagascar and is grown as an ornamental houseplant. Byttneria is pantropical but especially in South America; Hermannia is especially common in Africa; Melochia is found in tropical and warm temperate regions of the New World.
Theobroma is a genus of plants native to the Neotropics. The flowers often have distinctive petals that narrow and then widen again. There are usually fewer than 15 stamens, and the complicated flowers are pollinated by small flies and midges that are attracted in part by the dangling petals. Cacao (T. cacao) is the main source of cocoa, and other species from the Amazonian region yield delicious pulp for juices or sorbets (e.g., T. grandiflorum).
Caring For Common Mallow Plants In The Garden
Growing common mallow is a cinch since it requires no particular maintenance. It can grow in a wide range of soil types, but it tends to favor sandy, dry soil. Mallow flowers can grow in both full sun and partial shade.
It may, however, become a bit invasive and will continually reseed itself during the growth season. Deadhead wasted flowers before they go to seed to manage common mallow. Before germination, these seeds can survive on the earth for several years. Dig out any common mallow plants that appear where you don’t want them, making sure to remove the entire taproot.
Health Benefits of Malva sylvestris (mallow flower)
The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives in treating illnesses is more appropriately recognized as herbal remedies than traditional medicine. For centuries, the healing properties of medicinal herbs have been used for the treatment of many diseases across the world.
Malva sylvestris L. is a kind of mallow derived from Malvaceae species and is recognized as common mallow. This amazing plant has antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and is considered one of the most promising herbal medicinal species.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Mallow flower extract might cause stomach problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion in some people. It is probably safe to use for up to 4 weeks. Avoid use in children under 12 years old due to a lack of information about safety in this age group. For centuries, mallow has been used as a tea prepared by steeping dried flowers or leaves. Speak with your healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for you if you are suffering from an illness.
Conclusion:
Malva sylvestris (mallow flower) is an herb plant that belongs to the Mallow family series Malvaceae. Mallow flowers are used in cooking and are also eaten before their seedpod. It is a very common medicinal herb, which is mostly used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders as well as skin diseases such as acne scars. It can be used for beauty treatments for hair growth and increasing hair weight. As it also has many other useful qualities in treating many diseases related to the uterus and reproductive system, it is being used as a medicine for a long time.
FAQS
Where is the mallow flower from?
Malva Sylvestris grows mainly in the northeast and central regions of Iran. It is also found throughout North Africa, where it is a biennial species, but elsewhere it can be perennial.
What does the mallow flower mean?
Mallow is a flower with multiple meanings that can be both positive and negative, depending on its context. For example, it might symbolize romantic interest or survival in difficult conditions—or giving in to our emotions.
What color is the mallow flower?
Flowers from the mallow plant come in pink, white, purple, red, yellow, or orange hues and they look magnificent when planted in borders or cottage gardens in huge clusters.
What does a mallow flower smell like?
From early summer through mid-fall, it consistently flowers. This plant’s leaves have a musk-like scent, especially when you crush them.
What color is named after the mallow flower?
A light purple hue called “mauve” was inspired by the mallow flower (French: mauve). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “mauve” was first used to describe a hue between 1796 and 1798; nevertheless, usage prior to 1859 appears to have been sparse.
Can you eat mallow flowers?
For salads, the leaves must be young, but not for soups and stews since otherwise they can be deep-fried and puff up like prawn crackers. The blossoms can be added to salads where they will give some color but no flavor.
